A computer device has user interface configured to display user actuatable game elements and to detect user input when a user engages with a game element; and a processor configured to receive a detected user input and on detecting a match game condition to control the user interface to remove at least three game elements from the display and to provide on the user interface replacement user actuatable game elements, wherein the manner of providing each replacement game element has a graphical representation governed by a tile associated with each game element, wherein each tile has a selectable physics which controls at least one of (i) the direction in which it moves to replenish a vacancy left by the removed user game elements; and (ii) the speed at which it moves to replenish the vacancy.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computer device having: a user interface configured to display user actuatable game elements, each game element supported by a respective tile, and to detect user input when a user engages with a game element; a processor configured to receive a detected user input and on detecting a match game condition to control the user interface to remove at least three game elements from the display and to provide on the user interface replacement user actuatable game elements supported by respective tiles, wherein the processor is configured to generate a graphical representation of the manner of providing each replacement game element governed by a tile associated with each game element, wherein each tile has a selectable physics which controls at least one of (i) the direction in which it moves to replenish a vacancy left by the removed user game elements; and (ii) the speed at which it moves to replenish the vacancy, wherein the user interface is configured under the control of the processor to display the game element on each tile with a visual indication of the selected physics of the tile.
A computer device runs a match-three style game. The user interface displays game elements, each visually represented on a "tile." When the user creates a match (at least three elements), those elements are removed and replaced. Critically, each replacement tile has individually selectable physics properties (direction and/or speed of movement). The visual representation of each game element on its tile includes an indication of that tile's physics. For example, the tiles might have different colors, or shimmer in a certain way to represent their movement directions.
2. A computer device according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to select the physics for each tile based on user input at the user interface.
The computer device described above lets the user control the tile physics. The physics for each tile can be selected by the user through the user interface. The visual representation of those changes becomes visible.
3. A computer device according to claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to select the physics for each tile based on the location on the display at which the at least three game elements are removed.
The computer device that allows user-selectable tile physics further customizes the physics behavior based on where the matched game elements were removed from the display. Therefore the location of the cleared game elements directly affects the replacement physics properties.
4. A computer device according to claim 1 , comprising a graphics controller which is connected to receive information from the processor defining the graphical representation and to supply the graphical representation to the user interface in the form of a video sequence based on the physics of the tile.
This invention relates to computer devices with enhanced graphical rendering capabilities, particularly for simulating physical interactions in tile-based environments. The device includes a processor that generates a graphical representation of a tile, where the tile is defined by physical properties such as mass, elasticity, or other dynamic characteristics. A graphics controller is connected to the processor to receive this information and convert it into a video sequence that visually represents the tile's behavior according to its physical properties. The video sequence is then displayed on a user interface, allowing users to observe realistic simulations of how the tile interacts with its environment. The system enables dynamic and interactive visualizations, useful in applications like gaming, virtual reality, or physics-based simulations. The graphics controller processes the tile's physical data to generate frames that accurately depict motion, deformation, or other physical changes, ensuring a visually coherent and computationally efficient output. This approach improves realism and responsiveness in graphical applications where physical interactions are critical.
5. A computer device according to claim 1 , wherein the visual indication is colour.
In the computer device described above, the visual indication of a tile's physics is its color. The color is controlled by the processor.
6. A computer device according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface is configured to display a separator between tiles of a first physics and tiles of a second physics.
The computer device displaying games with physics-enabled tiles displays a separator on the user interface between tiles of different physics. This separator visually separates different physics regions.
7. A computer device according to claim 6 , wherein tiles of the first physics move in a direction to replenish a vacancy downwards from an upper portion of the screen, and tiles of the second physics move in the direction to replenish a vacancy upwards from a lower portion of the screen.
In the computer device with the separator, tiles above the separator move downwards to fill empty spaces, while tiles below the separator move upwards to fill empty spaces. This creates opposing flow directions of tiles.
8. A computer device according to claim 1 , wherein the selectable physics controls a direction in any orientation in either the Cartesian or polar axes for replenishment of tiles from an outer portion of a game board to an inner portion of a game board.
The computer device is further configured so that physics of tiles can replenish tiles from outer portion of the game board to an inner portion of the game board. The physics allow movement in any direction (Cartesian or polar coordinates) for tile replenishment.
9. A computer device according to claim 2 , wherein the user interface is configured to display a container game element which alters the physics of a set of displayed tiles when a match game condition of game elements associated with the container element is detected.
The computer device with user-selectable physics properties includes a "container" game element. If game elements matching the container element are matched, the physics of a set of displayed tiles are altered. The container element can change the physics behavior of tiles in a nearby region.
10. A computer device according to claim 9 , wherein game elements are associated with the container element by virtue of having a matching colour with the container element.
In the container game element described above, game elements are associated with the container element by having matching colors. Tiles of certain colors can be used to trigger physics changes.
11. A computer device according to claim 1 , wherein the tiles are arranged in rows and columns.
In the game on the computer device the tiles are arranged in rows and columns. The game board has a grid-based structure.
12. A computer device according to claim 6 wherein the tiles are arranged in rows and columns and the separator extends laterally across the game board between two rows of tiles.
In the computer device with the separator, the tiles are arranged in rows and columns, and the separator extends laterally across the game board, separating two rows of tiles. It divides the grid horizontally.
13. A computer device according to claim 9 , wherein the tiles are arranged in rows and columns and the set of tiles whose physics is altered by the container game element is a row of tiles.
In the computer device that includes container game elements, the tiles are arranged in rows and columns and the set of tiles whose physics is altered by the container game element is a row of tiles. The effect of the container changes the physics of an entire row.
14. A computer device according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface is controlled by the processor to sequentially apply a visual effect to sets of tiles, thereby indicating physics of the tiles.
This invention relates to computer devices with user interfaces that display tiles, addressing the problem of visually representing the physical properties or behaviors of these tiles in a clear and intuitive manner. The device includes a processor, a display, and a user interface that presents a grid or arrangement of tiles. The processor controls the user interface to apply visual effects to sets of tiles in a sequential manner, where the visual effects indicate the physics or dynamic properties of the tiles. These properties may include movement, interaction with other tiles, or other physical behaviors. The sequential application of visual effects helps users understand how the tiles behave in response to user input or system events, improving usability and interaction. The invention may be used in applications such as gaming, data visualization, or interactive simulations where tile-based interfaces are employed. The visual effects could include animations, color changes, or other graphical modifications that highlight the physics of the tiles, making their behavior more apparent to the user.
15. A computer device according to claim 14 , wherein the visual effect is a highlighting or shimmer effect.
The visual effect described above is a highlighting or shimmer effect. It draws attention to the tiles with particular physics.
16. A computer device according to claim 14 , wherein the tiles are arranged in rows and columns and the visual effect is sequentially applied to adjacent rows.
In the computer device the tiles are arranged in rows and columns and the highlighting or shimmer visual effect is sequentially applied to adjacent rows. Each row is highlighted in turn.
17. A computer device according to claim 16 , wherein the visual effect is applied in a first direction in a set of rows above a separator and not in a set of rows below the separator.
In the computer device where the tiles are arranged in rows and columns and the highlighting effect is applied sequentially to adjacent rows, the highlighting or shimmer visual effect is applied in a first direction only in the set of rows above the separator and not in the rows below it.
18. A computer device according to claim 1 , wherein the number of replacement game elements is the same as the number of game elements in the match condition.
In the computer device when game elements are removed in a match-three, the number of replacement game elements is the same as the number of removed game elements. The number of tiles stays constant.
19. A computer device according to claim 1 , wherein a game board of the game elements is generated by the processor, but only a portion of the game board is displayed to a user, with subsequent portions of the game board being displayed as a result of a scrolling action displayed on the user interface.
The game board is larger than the screen. The processor generates the entire game board, but only a portion is displayed to the user. The user can scroll to reveal subsequent portions of the game board.
20. A computer implemented method of controlling a user interface responsive to user engagement with displayed game elements on the interface, each game element supported by a respective tile, the method comprising the following steps implemented by a processor of a computer device; detecting a match game condition of at least three game elements responsive to user input; generating replacement game elements supported by respective tiles to be displayed, each game element associated with a tile; selecting a physics for each tile; controlling a graphical representation on the user interface of replacing the game element based on the selected tile physics, wherein the tile physics controls at least one of (i) the direction in which it moves to replenish the vacancy left by the removed game elements; and (ii) the speed at which it moves to replenish the vacancy; and displaying the game element on each tile with a visual indication of the selected physics of the tile.
A computer-implemented method controls a user interface in response to user interaction with displayed game elements. The game elements are visually represented on a "tile." The method includes: detecting a match of at least three game elements, generating replacement game elements (each with an associated tile), selecting physics for each tile (direction and/or speed of movement), controlling the graphical representation of the tile based on the selected physics, and displaying the game element on each tile with a visual indication of its physics. The tile indicates a direction or speed of its movement.
21. A method according to claim 20 , wherein the user interface displays a game board of game elements in rows, and wherein there is a visual indication of the tile physics associated with each tile in a row.
The method described above displays the game board elements in rows, and there is a visual indication of the tile physics associated with each tile in a row. Thus, each row has an appearance indicating its movement behavior.
22. A method according to claim 21 , wherein all tiles in the same row have the same physics.
In the row-based game board described above, all tiles in the same row have the same physics. An entire row moves consistently according to its set physics properties.
23. A method according to claim 21 , wherein a separator is displayed on the user interface between adjacent rows of differing tile physics.
The row-based game board method has a separator displayed on the user interface between adjacent rows of differing tile physics. The separator visually indicates different zones.
24. A method according to claim 23 , wherein the location of the separator on the game board is adjusted by user input which causes container elements to be actuated thereby increasing the number of tiles below the separator.
In the game method having the separator, the location of the separator on the game board is adjusted by user input, which causes container elements to be actuated, thereby increasing the number of tiles below the separator. User actions shift the physics zones.
25. A method according to claim 24 , wherein a game character is displayed on a tile having a first kind of physics, and wherein movement of that character over the game board is affected by the tile physics of the set of tiles surrounding the game character.
In the method described above, a game character is displayed on a tile with certain physics and the character's movement is affected by the physics of surrounding tiles. The character's movement depends on the properties of nearby tiles.
26. A method according to claim 25 , wherein a target row is identified on the display, and wherein a game objective is to cause the game character to move up to the target row.
In the game character method, a target row is identified on the display and the objective is to move the game character up to that target row. The game challenges the user to move the character.
27. A method according to claim 20 , wherein a portion of the game board is displayed on the user interface, the displayed portion varying as a result of a scrolling action to display different portions of the game board on the display.
In the method of controlling a game interface, a portion of the game board is displayed and this display portion varies via a scrolling action so that the different portions of the game board are visible. The game board is larger than the screen.
28. A method according to claim 27 , wherein when a first portion of the game board is displayed on the display the target row is not visible to a player, and wherein when a second portion of the game board is displayed on the display as a result of said scrolling action, the target row comes into a view of the player.
In the scrolling game method, when a first portion of the game board is displayed, the target row is not visible, but scrolling reveals the target row when the second portion of the board is displayed. The user scrolls to reveal the goal of the game.
29. A computer device having: a user interface configured to generate a game board having game elements for display for engagement by a user, each game element supported by a respective tile and each tile having selectable game physics; and a processor configured to control the user interface responsive to user engagement with the game element supported by respective tiles to remove from the display game elements on detection of a match game condition and to provide replacement game elements on the display, wherein a portion of the game board is displayed, including the replacement game elements, said portion being controlled to change by a scrolling action whereby enabling portion of the game board is newly displayed and a previously displayed portion of the game board is removed from the display; wherein the game element is displayed on each tile with a visual indication of the selected physics of the tile.
A computer device has a user interface configured to generate a game board for display. Each game element is supported by a tile and each tile has selectable physics. A processor controls the user interface to remove matched game elements and provide replacements. Only a portion of the game board, including replacement elements, is displayed. The displayed portion changes with a scrolling action, showing new parts of the board and hiding old ones. Each tile displays a visual indication of its selected physics properties.
30. A method of controlling a user interface in a computer device to show a portion of a match three game board and to scroll the game board to show different portions responsive to user input at the user interface to detect and activate matched game elements.
A method of controlling a user interface in a computer device shows a portion of a match-three game board and scrolls the game board to show different portions in response to user input for detecting and activating matched elements. The method provides a scrolling window to view the larger game board.
31. A computer device according to claim 29 wherein the portion of the game board which is displayed depends on the location of a predetermined or selectable tile on the game board.
In the computer device with the scrolling game board, the portion of the game board which is displayed depends on the location of a predetermined or selectable tile on the game board. The view focuses on certain areas of the board.
32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the tile is selected by a user.
In the scrolling game method, the tile is selected by a user. Thus a user can select a focus tile.
33. A computer device having: a user interface configured to display user game elements, each game element supported by a respective tile, and to detect user input when a user engages with a game element; and a processor configured to receive a detected user input and on detecting a game condition to control the user interface to provide a graphical representation of one or more game elements, wherein movement of one or more game elements is controlled by a selectable physics which controls the direction in which it moves wherein the user interface is configured under the control of the processor to display the game element on each tile with a visual indication of the selected physics of the tile.
A computer device displays game elements, each visually represented on a "tile." When the user creates a game condition, the computer provides a graphical representation of game elements, where the movement of elements is controlled by selectable physics (direction). The visual representation on each tile includes an indication of its physics. The tile visually demonstrates its own movement behavior.
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February 19, 2014
March 14, 2017
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